Narrative:

While climbing through 13;000 ft; I noticed the number 1 fuel system appeared abnormally split. Knowing that I had been fueled accurately; I immediately looked to the number 1 wing. I noticed a mist/vapor being expelled from what appeared to be the magnastick location. I am uncertain of where the actual leak was. I had advised the first officer that we would be declaring an emergency; which we did and turned back. Due to this unique situation; we had looked for a specific emergency checklist but none existed. We had approximately 4;500 pounds at the time we noticed the issue. We then proceeded to shut down the number 1 engine as a precaution; via the SOP and emergency checklist. We returned; landed; and taxied off the runway. I had requested from that point that we be towed to a safe location. An entry was made in the aircraft logbook.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: DHC8-200 flight crew notes a fuel imbalance during climb and sees what he believes is a fuel leak on the left wing. The left engine is shut down and the flight returns to the departure airport.

Narrative: While climbing through 13;000 FT; I noticed the Number 1 fuel system appeared abnormally split. Knowing that I had been fueled accurately; I immediately looked to the Number 1 wing. I noticed a mist/vapor being expelled from what appeared to be the magnastick location. I am uncertain of where the actual leak was. I had advised the First Officer that we would be declaring an emergency; which we did and turned back. Due to this unique situation; we had looked for a specific emergency checklist but none existed. We had approximately 4;500 LBS at the time we noticed the issue. We then proceeded to shut down the Number 1 engine as a precaution; via the SOP and emergency checklist. We returned; landed; and taxied off the runway. I had requested from that point that we be towed to a safe location. An entry was made in the aircraft logbook.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.